Paul Simon in 25th anniversary 'Graceland' concert at 02 in July

Paul Simon is to play his album Graceland in its entirety at a concert in the O2 in Dublin this July.

Paul Simon is to play his album Graceland in its entirety at a concert in the O2 in Dublin this July.

The album, which was released in 1986, restored Simon’s pre-eminence among singer-songwriters of his generation.

It sold 14 million copies worldwide and won Grammys for best album and, for its title track, best song.

It combined Simon’s songwriting with his new-found interest in South African music at a time when apartheid was still in existence, and featured the vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They will also be performing at the O2 gig on Thursday, July 12th.

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The O2 date will be the first of a month-long tour in Europe to mark the 25th anniversary of the album, which fell last year.

Simon (70) thrilled an audience of his most appreciative fans by playing an intimate set at Vicar Street last year.

His concert at the O2 will be an altogether bigger affair, however. Tickets cost from €54.65 to €116 and will go on sale next Thursday.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times